DIY grid tied solar

[monogram]

Hello,

I am in progress of building my first small grid tied solar system. I had 12 pcs of 315W Canadian solar panels (36V max) and I'm going to get a 1000W grid tied inverter with 45V to 90V input

The question I have is can I hook up 2 panels in series with 1 in parallel so i can stay within 90V to archive 900W?


Thank you in advance.

Key

[ButchDeal]

Are you in the US?

That is a pluggin inverter and note UL listed.

What racking system are you planning to use as well? Are they going on the roof?

Have you already applied for permit? interconnect?

You can connect two P modules in series and then parallel sets of them BUT you need a fused combiner.


12 315W Canaidan solar PV modules is 3.8kW, way too much for a little 1kW pluggin inverter.

[monogram]

Hi ButchDeal,

I'm in US.
Yes, the panels will be on the roof and there will be NO permit for this small project.
Since this is small 1KW inverter with max voltage input of 95V, can I connect 2 panels in parallel and 1 in Series to make it 900W?
Could you please give more detail on fused combiner?

If the system work out as expected then I might get another bigger inverter.

[sdold]

This looks like a non-UL listed plug-in inverter. Installing these in the US is generally not allowed by code or utilities and can be dangerous as you have set up a source of power that doesn't have over-current protection. For these reasons, this forum does not support or condone the installation of these devices and you aren't going to find much help for this project here.

[SunEagle]

Hi ButchDeal,

I'm in US.
Yes, the panels will be on the roof and there will be NO permit for this small project.
Since this is small 1KW inverter with max voltage input of 95V, can I connect 2 panels in parallel and 1 in Series to make it 900W?
Could you please give more detail on fused combiner?

If the system work out as expected then I might get another bigger inverter.

While you may not get a permit for your project that "grid tie" inverter may cost you a lot more then you think you are saving. They are illegal in the US because they are not built per code and do not meet the UL listing needed. Similar inverters have not only failed but have started a fire. If you file a claim with your insurance company you may find that they decline it since the equipment is not legal to use.

Based on my responsibility I would ask any member on this forum not to provide any additional information concerning the use of that "plug in grid tie" inverter.

[littleharbor]

Plus, if the power company notices that power is getting pushed back into their grid without an agreement you'll have problems with them.
As to your question about series wiring 2 panels and paralleling one more panel with them the answer is no.

[ButchDeal]

Hi ButchDeal,

I'm in US.
Yes, the panels will be on the roof and there will be NO permit for this small project.

You need a permit and interconnect and since it is roof mounted you are going to need at a minimum rapid shutdown an Arc fault interruption.
likely will need module level rapid shutdown.

Further that inverter is NOT legal in the US, it is dangerous and you could be fined.

Since this is small 1KW inverter with max voltage input of 95V, can I connect 2 panels in parallel and 1 in Series to make it 900W?

no you can not connect two in parallel and one in series, will not work well at all.

Could you please give more detail on fused combiner?

it will not work for you to have 2 parallel and 1 series

If the system work out as expected then I might get another bigger inverter.

solar is highly predictable and easy to model. There is no reason to do a test install.

Get a legal and safe install up front